The 2011-2012 Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships offered by District 3450 are now open for application.

The Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship is designed to further international understanding and goodwill through sponsoring qualified individuals to study in another country. You are expected to serve as Rotary’s ambassador of goodwill while maintaining high standards of academic achievement. This scholarship is worth up to USD$26,000.

Eligibility

1. Applicant must be a permanent resident of Hong Kong or Macao or a citizen of Mongolia.
2. The scholarships are for postgraduate studies in the academic year 2011/12.
3. The scholarships are not open to students seeking to continue studies already begun at a foreign institute.
4. Applicants must be proficient in the most commonly spoken language of the proposed host country
5. Applicant cannot apply to study in a country where he/she has previously lived or studied for more than twelve months.
6. Applicant must commit him/herself to reside in District 3450 in the year immediately before the scholarship year.
7. Successful applicants must attend all orientation programs organized by District 3450; failure to do so may lead to withdrawal of the scholarship offer.
8. Candidates cannot be Rotarians, Honorary Rotarians, or employees of a club, district, or other Rotary entity or of Rotary International. Spouses, lineal descendants, and ancestors of persons in the foregoing categories are also ineligible.
9. Candidates must have completed at least two years of university or college course work at the time the scholarship period begins or have a secondary school education with employment in a recognized vocation for at least two years.

Deadline for applications: 26th July 2010

1st round of selection interviews to be held on 7 Aug 2010 and on 14 Aug 2010.
2nd round of selection interviews to be held in the afternoon of 21 August 2010.

Application Procedures
Applicant must submit a COMPLETE application form to one of the Rotary Clubs in District 3450 (Hong Kong, Macao & Mongolia) for Rotary Club endorsement. Information for individual Rotary Clubs can be found from the Rotary International District 3450 website (http://www.rotary3450.org/). Applicants should allow time for obtaining club endorsement before the application deadline. Applicants should be prepared for personal interviews at the discretion of the sponsor Rotarians at both the club and district levels.

Completed application form with Rotary Club endorsement and all supporting documents should be sent to The Rotary Information Centre, 14/F Capital Commercial Building, 26 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong by 26th July 2010. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

For enquiries, please email to:  D3450scholarship@gmail.com

The Rotary Foundation's oldest and best-known program is Ambassadorial Scholarships, established in 1947. Since that time, more than 40,000 men and women from 110 nations have studied abroad under its auspices. Today, the Ambassadorial Scholarships Program of The Rotary Foundation is the world's largest privately funded international scholarships program. About 600 scholarships are awarded for study annually worldwide. Recipients from some 70 countries study in more than 70 different nations.

The purpose of the Ambassadorial Scholarships program is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries. Today, the program sponsors several types of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students as well as qualified professionals pursuing vocational studies. While abroad, scholars serve as ambassadors of goodwill to the people of the host country and give presentations about their homelands to Rotary clubs and other groups. Upon returning home, scholars share with local Rotarians and others the experiences that led to greater understanding of their host countries.

A benefit not found in other scholarship programs is the scholar's association with Rotary clubs and Rotarians. Each scholar is assigned both a sponsor and a host Rotarian counselor who provide orientation, advice, and assistance.

Many former scholars serve important posts with their governments; others are highly respected in their fields. Examples of outstanding Rotary alumni include: Bill Moyers, a prominent U.S. journalist; Sadako Ogata, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees; Paul Volcker, former chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board; Carlos Alberto Da Mota Pinto, former prime minister of Portugal; Otto Borch, Danish Ambassador to the U.S., and Roger Ebert, a popular U.S. film critic.

Scholarship availability is determined by local Rotarian contributions to The Rotary Foundation. Prospective scholars must apply through a local Rotary club.

Types of Scholarships
Currently, one type of scholarship is offered:

Academic-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships provide funding for one academic year of study in another country. This award is intended to help cover round-trip transportation, tuition, fees, room and board expenses, and some educational supplies up to US$26,000 or its equivalent.

Terms of Scholarships

Full terms and conditions are available on the Rotary International Website:
http://www.rotary.org/en/studentsandyouth/educationalprograms/ambassadorialscholarships/Pages/Howtoapply.aspx